With teams shifting more to the passing game, these old-school running backs are becoming obsolete. Parker ran for 1,200 yards or better in three straight seasons and led the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins. Franco Harris is not only the best Steelers running back in franchise history, but one of the greatest Steelers of all time. Foster's 1,690 yards set a team record that season and earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro nominations. Parker never regained his starting job and was released only to make on attempt at staying in the NFL with the Washington Redskins in 2010 where he spent his time on the practice squad before retiring. I could be wrong. But twice he rushed for more than 1,400 yards, and as a rookie in 2012 Martin posted 1,926 yards from scrimmage.
Steelers running back James Conner (30) runs for a short gain past Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton (26) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. He spent his first year in the NFL with the Giants before coming to the Steelers in 1970. I predict that sometime in the next decade, an offensive coordinator will go back to power football and line up with a tight end, a fullback, and a tailback in an I-formation for most of the game. Most Steelers fans think of Rocky Bleier as Franco Harris running mate throughout the 70s, and rightly so. Regular season. Sidney Thornton: Another stout running back for Pittsburgh was the bullish Thornton who weighed in at 230 pounds during his play days in Pittsburgh from 1977 to 1982.
W. Va. bill would give tax credits to ex-residents to move back 20 and retired with that number despite the departure of Pearson to Dallas. The running back said that he was only trying to stimulate conversation about the topic but because of it he lost an endorsement deal with Champion Sports. Do you have a blog? Chances are it is an announcer who remembers some of the great backs in Steelers history and how they dominated the game. For the Steelers he would rush for 2,243 yards five seasons. Najee Harris warming to Steelers' running back-by-committee approach. Standing 5-foot-11 and 195-pounds, Spears passes the . It was thought by the Steelers coaching staff and fans alike that Pittsburgh had found their new star running back. The last two seasons, with now-departed James Conner the No. Year Top Defense. He'll likely end up with a good chunk of dough in free agency, but it's hard to believe . He ranks 23rd all-time among Pittsburgh rushers having gained 1,504 yards as a Steeler. Fuqua led the Steelers in rushing in 1970 and 1971 and totaled 2,942 yards on the ground during his time in Pittsburgh. If youve followed the Steelers, you've probably heard the term "Steelers Football." Franco Harris arrives during the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. 3 in NFL history. All-time Rushing Leader: Franco Harris 2,881 att, 11,950 yds, 91 TD . Harris is one of the main reasons the Steelers won four Super Bowls in the 1970s. 10 on the Steelers' all-time rushing list with 3,549 yards. That's Steelers football. Sep 20, 1992; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Barry Foster (29) in action against San Diego Chargers defenders Junior Seau (55) and George Thornton (93) at Jack . Parker had a shot to lead the NFL in rushing in 2007, but he broke his leg in the regular season's penultimate game and finished with 1,316 yards. The Steelers ran out the pro set for most of the 1970s and 1980s under head coach Chuck Noll. Great Pittsburgh Steelers players such as Heath Miller, Bennie Cunningham, and Eric Green, who could count among the best NFL players ever, have gone down as some of the best tight ends in Steelers franchise history. All-time Receiving Leader: Hines Ward 1,000 rec, 12,083 yds, 85 TD . Posted August 12, 2019 Pittsburgh has fielded plenty of those defensive units over the years, and there are more than a few Steelers defenders in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Williams didn't post a 1,000-yard season in this decade mostly due to the fact he shared the backfield with another player on our list. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, injured during his tour of duty and told he would never play football again. Dudley also served his country during World War II as a member of the Army and played for that team while away from the NFL. Former Tulane Green Wave running back Tyjae Spears made a big splash at the Senior Bowl, but that was hardly the first time he put on a show. Since the merger in 1970, the Pittsburgh Steelers have rushed for more yards than any other team in the National Football League, and this commitment got two of their running backs elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Barkley reminded the NFL world this past season that he's one of the best running backs in the league by rushing for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. MORE: 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings. WILLIE PARKER had difference-making speed at the NFL level, but because he wasn't built physically to withstand the 913 carries he got from 2005-07, he got worn down and then his speed wasn't as difference-making at the NFL level. Murray made the All-Pro team and Pro Bowl that year.
Greatest Power Backs in NFL History | Stadium Talk Barkley was a huge reason why the Giants returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Bleier starred in Super Bowl XIII with a touchdown reception and a recovered onside kick to seal Pittsburghs third NFL title. Until recently, the fullback was an important player in the Steelers' offense. Watt is a fullback who saw a lot of snaps during his time with the Chargers.). Visit ESPN to view the Pittsburgh Steelers team depth chart for the current season
Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Player Roster | NFL.com Is the fullback truly gone, banished into the deep recesses of pro football history? Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database. By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, it is easy to see why opposing defenses would wish they were somewhere else. Players active with the Pittsburgh . The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. (Fullback Roosevelt Nix spent most of 2019 injured and did not appear to have a viable replacement.)
Every Tight End In Pittsburgh Steelers History, Ranked By Fans Amos Zereoue: Another fan favorite was West Virginia University product, Famous Amos Zereoue. But Hoak is probably best remembered for his ever-so-long tenure as the Running Backs coach with Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher. The role of the fullback changed dramatically when the I-formation came into vogue in the 1980s. He made four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team as a Steeler and inspired a Pittsburgh Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLone of the greatest wins in Steelers history. He'll go down as one of the best power backs in history, and in this decade Lynch has carried the ball 1,791 times for 7,778 yards. This was the age of the feature back, when one superstar halfback got most of the carries. The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These honorable mentions may not have a place on this list of all-time best Steelers running backs, but if you are a Steelers fan, there is a good chance you'll remember them fondly. The Steelers have always had great defensive playersand that hasn't changedbut the Steelers of today have fallen into the trendy traps of modern offenses with little use for a fullback. But he still turned in two more 1,000-yard seasons and recorded at least 800 yards from scrimmage in four seasons this decade. This led to fans chanting Hey Diddle Diddle, Rogel Up the Middle. There was just one occasion that the Steelers failed to use Rogel on the games first play. Included are player stats for the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1945-2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) from 1940-1942 and the Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL) from 1933-1939. but every NFL team has talented players. He had the highest usage rate among running backs at 35.8% and was third in red-zone touches with 61. Bill Dudley: Bullet Bill was his nickname and a great running back he was. He's posted 2,987 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns over the last three years. The 23-year-old was on his way to two straight special years to begin his NFL career before the Chiefs cut him following his involvement with a woman in a domestic dispute. While the team continued to utilize the same rushing attack that had earned them four Lombardi Trophies in the '70s, the cast of characters and the results were not the same. No matter what happens with the evolution of this position, these Pittsburgh tight ends have left a legacy for this that cant be taken away. Who Is The Best Running Back In The NFL Right Now? To prepare, we at Chargers Wire are previewing players from every position. Injuries hurt Foster later in his career, but he did record 1,246 rushing yards in 2014. 8. They got a lot of carries in an era when both the fullback and halfback needed to contribute to the running game. Harris was a part of four championship team and would be named to the Pro Bowl nine times. Hoak retired from pro football in 1970 but stuck around to coach Steelers running backs from 1972 to 2007. Bleier only ranks ninth in all-time rushing yards for the franchise, and he never made the Pro Bowl, but there is no denying the impact this gutsy running back had in winning four Steelers' Super Bowl championships. He seemed to violate every rule young players are taught about playing running back, yet he thrived. He'll get the chance to continue his career with the Browns, but he'll miss the first eight games of 2019 because of a suspension. In '94, he ran for 851 yards despite missing five games. Fuqua will be forever remembered by Steelers fans as the intended receiver of Terry Bradshaws Immaculate Reception pass, which ricocheted into the arms of Franco Harris. He already has as many touchdowns rushing as Bam Morris Unfortunately, before the season began last year, Bell was arrested with LeGarrette Blount for a DWI and possession of marijuana. He peculiarly retired after that one campaign with the Cardinals. All Rights Reserved.
NFL combine: CB prospect hoping for on-field family reunion That one instance came in 1956 when Art Rooney Sr. uncharacteristically was frustrated with a head coach and instructed the then Head Coach Walt Kiesling to negate the opening Rogel rush and throw the ball instead. 2013 Steelers 2014 Steelers 2015 Steelers 2016 Steelers 2017 Steelers 2018 Steelers 2019 Steelers 2020 Steelers 2021 Steelers 2022 Steelers 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 8-8 11-5 10-6 11-5 13-3 9-6-1 8-8 12-4 9-7-1 9-8.
Every Steelers First-Round Draft Pick Since 2000 Hunt only played eight games with the Browns last season after serving an eight-game suspension. Today, Johnson is one of the former Steelers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. | February 27, 2023 3 min Watch. He also had three catches in that loss for 18 yards. Fuqua was not an original Steelers having been drafted by the New York Giants and then traded to Pittsburgh. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers. His rookie contract was voided after his fourth season, after just one in Pittsburgh, and there were opportunities to leave.
ALL-MODERN ERA: Running backs - Pittsburgh Steelers 9, we . In the following AFC title game against Miami, Pollard was held to just 48 yards rushing. As a Steeler, Famous Amos ran the ball 434 times for 1,698 yards and was a powerful running back at 205 pounds on a 58 frame.
8 Oldest Running Backs in NFL - Oldest.org He signed as an undrafted free agent who had run a 4.23-second 40 at the Scouting Combine the previous spring. The Steelers had a reputation of big bruising backs but Parker spelled that philosophy with speed and elusiveness. Rocky Bleier: For some Steelers fans it might be hard to believe that Robert Patrick Bleier, known best in Steelers Nation as Rocky turned 69 years of age this year. Eight players have been recognized as having held the career rushing yards record in the NFL. From '61 to '64, he was part of a powerful rushing attack along with Hall of Famer John Henry Johnson. It's hard to rank Sproles. Today he is 68 and still colorful. LeVeon Bell: Finally we have our current star in the making. . But from 2015-16, he posted more than 1,000 rushing yards, 1,500 yards from scrimmage and at least 13 touchdowns each season. The Steelers will win 5 games this year, Canada will be fired, and Tomlin will "resign." . Since there are only 11 players on offense, the running backs have to be able to function as a unit, and Le'Veon Bell could play halfback to Bettis' fullback. Harris managed to get 691 rushing yards, with an average of five yards. Sowhos the greatest tight end in Pittsburgh Steelers history? He lasted just five seasons but they were filled with success. LISTEN: Hounds, world soccer, PGA with Mike Grau, Steelers: Need for QB of the Future is More Apparent than Ever, Steelers: Defense Needs to Take Advantage of Inconsistent Bills Passing Attack, Steelers: Devlin Hodges Has Chance to Make Lasting Impression in Week 14, Steelers: James Washingtons Emergence Could Make Offense Dangerous. He came to the Steelers after three seasons with the Rams which had earned him a reputation as a problem player. The mid-'80s were a tough time for Steeler Nation. Only other is safeties at sub lb and doesn't change their ratings just where they are on the field. Join our linker program. One of the best free agent signings of the Mike Tomlin era, DeAngelo Williams was never thought to be more than a top backup running back. Cameron Heyward (2011), T.J. Watt (2017), Terrell Edmunds (2018), Devin Bush Jr. (2019), and Najee Harris (2022) are the five remaining first-rounders still on the Steelers roster. Fuqua would have to be the most colorful player in Steelers history as well as the most controversial. does st martin parish have school tomorrow.
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Roster | The Football Database West Virginia's Senate passed a bill Monday that would give $25,000 in tax credits to former residents who move back to the state to work. Harris is my fourth-ranked running back for the 2022 season. In just a three-year period, from 2010-12, he posted 5,702 yards from scrimmage and 47 touchdowns. DeAngelo Williams Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images. Insider insists Tom Brady could sign with 49ers in 2023, The 'Most recent first-round NFL quarterbacks' quiz, Seven Cubs pitchers combine for spring no-hitter vs. Padres, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones comments on Tony Pollard rumor, Ben Simmons suffers back injury while rehabilitating, Insider: It's Packers, Jets 'or bust' for Aaron Rodgers, QB Anthony Richardson doesn't understand his 'project' label, Vikings HC reveals 'crazy' thoughts about star WR, XFL player released for giving another team plays from own playbook. Who the heck is this guy, we all wondered aloud, but in much more colorful language. The speedy running backs, the classic old power running back, and the mixed, well-rounded, good running back. Ibrahim, who . Williams had his first 1,000-yard season and averaged 13.3 ppg.
Daily Fantasy Football Week 16: Predicting DraftKings Top Performers Last season he rushed for only 885 yards, but that came in 12 games.
The Steelers have had some incredibly talented players over the years . Former Steelers running back Willie Parker (39) acknowledges the crowd during a 2018 against the Chargers at Heinz Field. Franco Harris is the Pittsburgh Steelers career leader in rushing yards with 11,950. During the 2021 offseason, Pittsburgh declined to re-sign Conner, making him a free agent and creating an opportunity for the Arizona Cardinals to scoop him up. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [3], List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders, Players with at least 10,000 rushing yards, Players with at least 1,000 postseason rushing yards. In one of his final interviews before his . Bettis will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2015 in August, and the accomplishments to be praised that day are only part of why he was the man during his 10 seasons with the Steelers. Despite suffering continuing pain and losing weight down to 180 pounds, Rocky spent the next two years putting on weight and fighting for a roster spot. It's an inspiring story, but if Bleier wasn't one of the best running backs in Steelers' history, he wouldn't have made this list. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Starters per season [ edit] These quarterbacks have started at least one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers . Fran Rogel was also a local product having grown up in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. Since missing the last five games of 2010, Gore has sat out just two games over the last eight years. He posted more than 1,900 yards from scrimmage twice, in 2010 and 2013. All rights reserved. Peterson then signed with the . The move closes the latest chapter of Wentz's career after just one season in Washington. Bleier believed the doctors were wrong and reported to Steelers training camp a year after he left the war.
Breaking down the 10 best running backs in Steelers' history The All-Modern Era team is made up of 26 players - 11 on offense, 11 on defense, and four specialists. As the tight end position increasingly becomes more of a focal point in offensive schemes , one. In three of his four NFL seasons, Gurley has rushed for more than 1,100 yards and at least 10 touchdowns. In 2007, Fuqua created a candy and marketed it as The Immaculate Confection. But aside from that 1972 playoff game with the Oakland Raiders, Fuqua could be seen off the field wearing the flashiest of clothes that included shoes with see-through heals and live fish in them. He tailed off to 928 the following season and then suffered injuries in 2012 playing in just six games before the Steelers cut him loose where he signed with the Arizona Cardinals lasting just one season after 687 yards on the ground. Bleier was injured during his tour of duty and told he would never play football again, but he returned to the Steelers and fought his way back into football shape, eventually playing 10 more seasons in the NFL. Or write about sports? It was a hard task to actually rank all of the great running backs . Foster timed his career perfectly for this list, breaking out with 1,616 yards, leading the league in rushing, in 2010. Still, "CJ2K" comes in at No. The Steelers went 6-10 in his first season, but along with players like Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca . Hunt offers some stability in the pass-game as he had 44 . Find out more. Williams led the NFL in touchdowns last season with 17. His performance in the 1989 playoffs, when he turned in back-to-back 100-yard games against Houston and Denver, is the stuff of Steelers' legend. He earned the Super Bowl MVP award after running for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in Super Bowl IX. Matte took over for another fantastic white running back, former Heisman Trophy winner and 1958 NFL Championship Game hero Alan Ameche. But following the Super Bowl Morris was arrested for trafficking marijuana and the Steelers wanted nothing to do with his off-the-field problems and released him. The first requirement is an intimidating defense that dominates opponents and makes it tough for them to put points on the board. As an undrafted rookie in 2004, Bill Cowher took a chance on the 5-foot-10, 209-pound first-year player and Parker impressed sharing time with The Bus, Jerome Bettis. Emmitt Smith has held the record since surpassing Walter Payton's long-standing total in 2002. Barry Foster: Unfortunately for Barry Foster, his career was short in the Burgh. There have been some running backs in Steelers history who had one or two good seasons in Pittsburgh, then went on their way. The All-Modern Era team is made up of 26 players 11 on offense, 11 on defense, and four specialists. In 79 games with the Steelers, he carried the ball for 3,343 yards and 22 touchdowns. He caught 57 passes for 338 yards as well. Parker set the record for longest rushing touchdown from scrimmage in a Super Bowl (XL) with a romp of 75 yards which still stands today. BAM MORRIS followed Foster, but after a couple of promising seasons, he was released after pleading guilty to felony possession of marijuana in June 1996. All Rights Reserved. Williams recorded at least 730 rushing yards in a season four times during the 2010s, and he ended the decade with 4,246 rushing yards. The real results of who touched it first is still undetermined to this day. Emailed daily. 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Players were considered based on having careers with the Steelers from 1992 until the present. With the Redskins, Cowboys and 49ers, Morris has 5,931 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in the 2010s. In the end Rocky Bleier rushed for 3,865 yards, 1,294 yards receiving on 136 catches and scored 25 times. Reports this off-season show he weighed in at 244 pounds from 232 last season. Others were blocking fullbacks who spent their careers opening holes for star backs. Dudley also found himself on kickoff returns where he fielded 11 of those for 298 yards (27.0 average). Really, he will just be doing what teams like the Steelers did for decades. But Harris and the Steelers' rushing attack were just getting started. This means two backs in the backfield, usually lined up side by side. This list of past Steelers tight ends features former greats, current impact players, and even future stars.
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